The 12 Best Fire Pits of 2023 for a Toasty Outdoor Hangout

Best Overall

Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0

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If you’re looking for a backyard fire pit that is easy to set up, use, and maintain, you can’t go wrong with our top pick. Turns out one of the best fire pits also happens to be one of the buzziest: the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0. You’ve probably seen it on social media and recognize it by its distinctive cylindrical shape and style. This model exceeds the basic functionality you’d expect from a fire pit: The fire will burn for up to three or four hours, it won’t leave your clothes smelling at the end, and it can create a large, warming flame that burns evenly. 

It’s advertised as a smokeless model, which means that it has 360-degree airflow that burns off smoke before it can travel to your eyes and your clothes. But we’ve personally used this Solo Stove model for well over a year and can say that while it produces significantly less smoke than many fire pits, it’s not entirely smokeless—no “smokeless” models truly are. Still, the smoke that’s produced is incredibly minimal, typically only concentrated in a small area (just moving someone’s seat often solves the problem), and is more likely to occur with light wind. 

However, the best part by far is how easy it is to use and clean. It’s stainless steel and only 23 pounds, so you’ll have no problem moving it to different areas of the backyard (it even comes with a carrying case that has a handle handle). We’ve burned around 75 fires already, and, after cleaning the fire pit up with a soft cloth and emptying the removable ash pan, it looks like new on the outside. 

The accessory bundle is definitely recommended: If you’re already paying for the Bonfire 2.0, the removable ash pan is an add-on that makes cleaning take around 30 seconds. Once the ashes have completely cooled, pull the tray up, dump it out in your ash container, and you’re done. The bundle also has a cover so you can worry less about debris or rain getting into your fire pit, and an elevated base that allows you to set it on different surfaces. 

All the accessories aside, however, this is the best fire pit on the market for those wanting a fire pit’s basic joys: It starts a fire quickly, and it’ll keep at least six to eight people completely warm and comfortable. 

Price at time of publish: From $300

Product Details: Dimensions: 19.5 x 19.5 x 17.5 inches | Fuel Type: Wood | Material: Stainless steel

Best Budget

Better Homes and Gardens Damon Deep Bowl Wood Burning Fire Pit

4.7

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This fire pit comes in at under $100 and stands out in two ways that the other budget options we tested didn’t: It’s quick to assemble and weighs just over 15 pounds, making it our lightest option on this list by far. The wood-burning model holds 5 pounds of wood thanks to its deep bowl. We were able to produce a fire that lasted for over an hour and was easy to tend to—the extra space allowed us to move the logs around and make adjustments.

Another reason this ended up being one of the best fire pits we tried is its included accessories. It shouldn’t stay outside in inclement weather, so we appreciate that it came with a cover. It also includes a mesh screen to control sparks (we didn’t feel unsafe without it, though, due to the deep bowl design) and comes with a poker to allow the user to safely adjust the burning wood at a distance. 

We also liked the simple aesthetic of the fire pit, which isn’t too ornate or decorative and would fit well in most backyards. If you’re looking for a simple model, don’t mind taking it in and out of a garage or basement when you want a fire, and like the idea of an affordable wood-burning option, this is a great pick.

Price at time of publish: $97

Product Details: Dimensions: 26 x 26 x 21.06 inches | Fuel Type: Wood | Material: Steel

Best Splurge

Breeo X Series 24 Smokeless Fire Pit

4.9

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Through our testing, we determined that the Breeo X Series Wood Burning Campfire is the best fire pit for people that host guests in their backyard all summer long. If that’s you, it’s well worth the price. Made in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, this smokeless option uses double-walled construction to trap hot air in the gap between the walls and pressurized oxygen to essentially reburn it, creating a hotter and stronger fire. 

The double-wall and the reburn that comes from it produce added oxygen, which allows the pit to burn its own smoke before it reaches you. While the brand doesn’t claim to be 100% smokeless, it does give extensive tips on how to burn a fire with considerably less smoke than the average fire pit, like using shredded newspaper,  cardboard, or resin-soaked pine at its base. 

A special aspect of the Breeo is the use of Corten steel, which starts as a steel finish and, with use, forms a patina. The patina is a corrosion-resistant coating that prevents rusting and turns the fire pit a beautiful bronze color. To clean the Breeo and ensure consistently low-smoke fires, you’ll need to clear the ashes every four to five burns. We found setup to be incredibly easy without requiring any tools. The 62-pound pit can be left outside, so it requires very little upkeep. 

Another nice bonus: This can work as a grill if you choose to buy the campfire grate. Keep in mind that the fire pit’s accessories (like a cover or spark screen) do require additional purchases. 

Price at time of publish: $599

Product Details: Dimensions: 27.5 x 27.5 x 14.75 inches | Fuel Type: Wood | Material: Corten and alloy steel

Best Wood-Burning

Frontgate Classic Copper Fire Pit

5

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We found this classic copper fire pit by Frontgate to be an all-around winner when it comes to performance, design, and value. If you have a spacious backyard or patio and love to entertain, this gorgeous wood-burning fire pit will be your best bet. The construction is part of the reason it's so pricey: Its heavy copper basin is made to handle both extreme heat and extreme weather, so you can keep it out all year long. 

It also features a sturdy iron grate that makes for a well-ventilated and thriving fire. The basin holds logs up to 2 feet long; we opted to use five logs during testing for a medium-sized fire, but felt like we could have easily fit twice as many. We like how the large size means it’s great for parties and entertaining; it can easily accommodate five or more people, with plenty of space for everyone. 

The setup takes mere minutes and requires no tools, but it’s heavy enough that you’ll likely need to do it with two people. Finally, there’s an option to add a spark guard made of powder-coated iron if you have children or pets around, too. While we were impressed with this fire pit, it’s worth noting that it’s pretty expensive for one that is not considered smokeless.

Price at time of publish: $552

Product Details: Dimensions: 40 x 39.78 x 14 inches | Fuel Type: Wood | Material: Copper and iron

Best Propane

Outland Living Deluxe Fire Pit

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This Outland Living Deluxe Firebowl is the best fire pit if you’re looking for a low-maintenance propane option. Generally, propane fire pits are easier to clean (there’s no ash) and better to bring camping or in an RV, but they do require a propane tank. 

The Deluxe Firebowl has most of the accessories you need, which is another reason why we like it so much. It comes with a 10-foot hose to keep a standard 20-pound propane tank far away from the fire (the propane tank is the one thing that doesn’t come included, but you can find one at most hardware stores), an adjustable knob to vary your flame height, and a natural lava rock set to create a soothing, flickering effect. 

The stainless steel base is durable and weighs just over 23 pounds, and the manual ignition allows you to customize your flame and instantly create fire–no wood, matches, or kindle required. It’s also CSA-approved (which stands for the Canadian Standards Association and means that it met certain safety and performance metrics) and can likely be used during campfire bans because it’s a spark-free way to start a fire. Of course, check before you go camping if you can bring this fire pit, but if you can, it’s a great option for a worry-free fire. 

Price at time of publish: $103

Product Details: Dimensions: 19 x 19 x 11 inches | Fuel Type: Propane | Material: Alloy and stainless steel

Best Smokeless

Solo Stove Yukon 2.0

4.9

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This Solo Stove model is over 6 inches wider and 6 inches taller in diameter than our pick for best fire pit overall, making it great for longer burn times and larger gatherings. We especially liked the construction of this piece: Setup is quick and easy, and it features a ring on the bottom to protect the grass from the extreme heat below and a ring on the top to encourage ventilation.

It has all of the features that Solo Stove has become so well-known for: The two-walled construction traps air between the walls to burn up smoke before it reaches your hair and clothes, its durable stainless steel will handle the elements and the intense heat while remaining relatively light for the size of the model, and it can easily be cleaned with the removable ash pan. 

We could fit six large logs in the pit, but they did burn fairly quickly. We were impressed with how evenly the fire burned as well. Still, the biggest draw of the Solo Stove is that, when properly cleaned and maintained, it’s a relatively smokeless and smell-free fire pit. 

Price at time of publish: $460

Product Details: Dimensions: 27 x 27 x 17 inches | Fuel Type: Wood | Material: Stainless steel

Best Portable

Tiki Retreat Smokeless Fire Pit

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This rectangular-shaped option from Tiki is one of the best fire pits to take on the road with you thanks to its size, shape, and built-in carry handles. It also has a removable ash tray pan that you can easily slide out and dump into a trash can, so cleanup is both minimal and convenient. 

It comes equipped with a few useful add-ons, like a Tiki-brand wood pack that helps you create an instant fire (in under 5 minutes) that produces a flame with a 4-foot radius. Those specs contribute to it being great to travel with. It’s quick to get a fire going, and when it starts, it won’t bother neighbors with a large flame or a ton of smoke (it’s a smokeless model). 

It also comes with a stand and a weather-resistant cover, which means you’ll have everything you need to get started. Of course, you can continue purchasing the wood packs or use regular wood and kindling to similar effects. The smooth, powder-coated steel will keep the fire pit looking brand new for a long time, and while it weighs 41 pounds, it should be easy enough to load in and out of a car with another person helping.

Price at time of publish: $246

Product Details: Dimensions: 21.50 x 14.50 x 16.70 inches | Fuel Type: Wood | Material: Powder-coated stainless steel

Best Small

Novogratz Asher Wood Burning Fire Pit

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This fun, decorative model we tried from Novogratz will look great all year long with its weather-resistant ceramic outside that comes in colors like persimmon, bright white, and dark green. We loved how attractive it was in comparison to many other fire pits on the market. Due to the small size, it would be a nice option for a patio or poolside area, though we found it too heavy to be truly portable.

The bowl that holds the wood is quite small, which only allowed us to add a few logs at a time during testing, and also meant we had to fill the bowl up every 30 minutes or so. However, this also made the fire pit burn evenly and without a ton of smoke, so there are upsides to the smaller size. 

Additionally, this fire pit has a less common accessory included: a grill grate, which will allow you to cook up some poolside treats whenever you want. We grilled some hot dogs on the grate and noted it took around 45 minutes for the bowl to be hot enough and the embers to be small enough for it to be safe to do so. 

You won’t be able to cook a gourmet meal on this fire pit, but it would be great for things like hot dogs, burgers, or other light and easy fare. The complete set comes with a rain cover, grill grate, fire pit dome, fire pit lid, and a grilling tool. 

Price at time of publish: $194

Product Details: Dimensions: 27 x 27 x 14.5 inches | Fuel Type: Wood | Material: Metal

Best Tabletop

Solo Stove Mesa

4.5

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The best fire pit for someone who doesn’t have a backyard is definitely this Solo Stove Mesa option we tested, as it’s perfect for a small balcony or patio, given that it only stands 6 inches tall and takes up hardly any space. If you want a little ambience but don’t have a large area outside to sit in, it’s a great, affordable option that also comes in a bunch of interesting colors like deep olive, mulberry, and bone. 

While we don’t recommend relying on this fire pit alone for significant warmth due to the size, we were still impressed with the heat it created. You can use small pieces of firewood to make this work, but might be better off using wood pellets or Solo Stove’s own mini oak pieces since they won’t have to be cut down to size. It comes with a stand and a carry bag—and because the fire pit only weighs a little over a pound, it’s definitely an easy option to take anywhere and store in a closet. 

Best of all, the Solo Stove Mesa has all of the specs the larger sizes have, including the stainless steel,double-walled construction and smokeless design. You can even roast marshmallows with the flame, allowing you to have the experience of a real fire pit even if you live in an area with limited outdoor space. 

Price at time of publish: $105

Product Details: Dimensions: 6 x 6 x 6 inches | Fuel Type: Pellet, wood | Material: Stainless steel and ceramic

Best Stone

Koch Stone Wood Burning Outdoor Fire Pit

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This stone, wood-burning fire pit has three main pros we found during testing: It’s aesthetically pleasing, generously sized, and easy to assemble. The classic stone base mimics the much more expensive option of hiring a landscaper to build a fire pit on your patio, which would certainly run you much more than this option from Arlmont & Co. 

Other than that, it checks all the boxes of what the best fire pits should do, without adding anything extra: It features a steel bowl that will withstand the high heat of wood burning, it’s sturdy and won’t break in inclement weather or windy conditions, and it comes with a poker and a mesh screen, though no protective cover. 

We found that you could use a sizable amount of logs in this (it should fit around six), but using half that allowed us to have a strong fire that burned with even heat. This isn’t a smokeless pit, so expect a hefty smoke output, but the real star of this fire pit is the rustic stone placement on the outside. It’s a beautifully crafted piece. 

Price at time of publish: $320

Product Details: Dimensions: 35 x 35 x 20.27 inches | Fuel Type: Wood | Material: Stone and steel

Best for Camping

Outland Living Firecube

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If you’re camping, backpacking, or RVing this summer, this Outland Living Firecube is one of the best options to add to your gear list. At a little over 22 pounds and 14 inches in diameter, it’s both easy to store and to pack. 

It’s CSA-approved (which means it has passed a series of safety metrics) and uses a 20-pound propane tank cylinder (not included, but available at most hardware stores) rather than wood, which allows it to be used in places that have bans on campfires, although it’s best to check with your campsite before you go. 

The kit comes with a pre-attached 10-foot hose, an adjustable regulator with a knob to control flame size, a cover/carry kit, and over 4 pounds of lava rocks to create a more realistic and flickering fire. It delivers a clean, smokeless burn and works quietly and in inclement weather. 

While it’s not meant to cook on (besides s’mores or weenies on a stick, of course), there’s a reason we chose one that doesn’t have a grill grate: If you’re camping and are counting on fire as a means to cook your food, propane fire pits generally aren’t made to make elaborate meals for a number of people. They’re great for camping because they produce a more controlled burn, but you’re much better off getting a charcoal grill or a camp stove, in addition to a fire pit, if you want to cook food.

Instead, use this Firecube to provide warmth and a source of flame for nights under the stars. However, if you’re camping in a place that doesn’t have a campfire ban, and you’d rather grill on the pit, check out the option below.

Price at time of publish: $125

Product Details: Dimensions: 14 x 14 x 9 inches | Fuel Type:  Propane | Material: Alloy steel